Patriot Missile Stockpile Concerns Grow, Pentagon Claims It Has Enough
After years of intercepting Russian weapons in Ukraine and recently engaging Iranian missiles, the Pentagon's supply of Patriots is a hot-button issue.
Howard Altman
Jul 8, 2025 7:18 PM EDT
The Pentagon is brushing off concerns that it is running low on Patriot interceptors.
The Pentagon is pushing back on a published report claiming that the U.S. only has about 25% of the Patriot interceptors it needs. The comments follow the Defense Department’s reported temporary pause in the delivery of interceptors and other weapons to Ukraine over concerns about U.S. supplies. Meanwhile, officials in Kyiv are pleading for new interceptors because they are getting pummelled by Russian airstrikes.
“As [Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean] Parnell stated during last week’s press briefing, the U.S. military has what it needs to fight and win any mission, anywhere, anytime,” Lt. Col. Bryon McGarry told The War Zone Tuesday morning. “We’re not going to discuss specific stockpile numbers or operational details, but our forces remain fully equipped, fully ready, and globally postured to respond to any challenge. Ongoing assessments of our capabilities are routine and reflect responsible planning, not shortfall. Readiness isn’t in question—it’s ensured.”
The defense of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar against Iranian ballistic missiles included the largest volley of Patriot air defense interceptors in U.S. military history, the Pentagon's top general told reporters.
The Pentagon says it “has what it needs” when it comes to Patriot interceptors and other weapons. (Darrell Ames/DOD)
McGarry was responding to our questions about an exclusive report in The Guardian claiming that the Pentagon was facing a shortfall in Patriot interceptors after heavy use in Ukraine and the Middle East. The publication reported that U.S. forces used about 30 in the recent defense of Al Udeid Air Base from an Iranian ballistic missile attack. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called that the largest single volley of Patriot interceptors in U.S. military history.
The Patriot interceptor expenditures in the Middle East exacerbated existing supply concerns and, in large measure, sparked the weapons delivery pause, The Guardian stated.
https://www.twz.com/news-features/concerns-over-stockpile-of-patriot-missiles-grow-pentagon-claims-it-has-enough
